How to Oil Walnut Furniture

Walnut is a rich, dark-brown hardwood that is nowhere near as common as it used to be, so if you have a piece of walnut furniture, you should protect it. Penetrating oil that hardens offers this protection while bringing out the best in the wood.

Preparing the Wood for Oiling

Apply oil only to raw wood after opening the pores slightly by sanding. This does not require an orbital sander. Fold a piece of 220- to 400-grit sandpaper in half and do the job by hand, sanding with the grain of the wood. Wipe the sanding dust with a dry cloth, not a wet one; moisture raises the wood grain.

Apply Two Coats

Suitable finishing oils for walnut furniture include tung oil and boiled linseed oil. Both harden in the wood and seal the grain from moisture while leaving a muted, attractive sheen. It takes two coats to get the best finish -- apply each with a rag, rubbing with the grain. After the first coat dries, which may take three or four days, sand it lightly with 600-grit paper before applying the next coat. A finish coat of non-silicone paste waste, buffed with a lambswool buffer, provides the finishing touch.